State Opening of Parliament
| State Opening Date | Background Information | Further Information | Previous Queen's Speeches |
State Opening: 2009-10 session
The State Opening of Parliament for the 2009-10 session took place on Wednesday 18 November 2009.
State Opening of Parliament
Background
The State Opening usually takes place in November or December on the first day of the new parliamentary session. There will also be a State Opening shortly after a general election.
The Queen's Speech is delivered by the Queen from the Throne in the House of Lords. The speech is given in the presence of Members of both Houses, the Commons being summoned to hear the speech by an official known as Black Rod.
In a symbol of the Commons' independence, the door to their Chamber is slammed in his face and not opened until he has knocked on the door with his staff of office. Although the speech is made by the Queen, the content of the speech is entirely drawn up by the Government and approved by the Cabinet.
Following the State Opening the Government's programme, as presented in the Queen's Speech, is debated by both Houses. The text is reported in the House of Commons Hansard and the House of Lords Hansard.
Further Information
State Opening of Parliament: the start of the parliamentary year
Illustrated leaflet about State Opening
State Opening of Parliament (Companion to the Standing Orders and guide to the Proceedings of the Lords)
Difference between a parliament and a session (Lords Frequently Asked Question)
Prorogation [Brief Guide to Parliament]
State Opening of Parliament [Brief Guide to Parliament]
State Opening of Parliament (Commons Frequently Asked Question)
Further Frequently Asked Questions | Commons | Lords |
The State Opening of Parliament - A Perspective from the Archives
Queen's Speeches from previous years
Queen's Speech 3 December 2008 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 6 November 2007 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 15 November 2006 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 17 May 2005 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 23 November 2004 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 26 November 2003 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 13 November 2002 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 20 June 2001 [Lords Hansard]
Following the general election on Thursday 7 June 2001, the new Parliament was summoned to meet on Wednesday 13 June. The first business was the election of the Commons Speaker and swearing-in of Members. The State Opening of Parliament took place on Wednesday 20 June 2001.
Queen's Speech 6 December 2000 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 17 November 1999 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 24 November 1998 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 14 May 1997 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 23 Oct 1996 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 15 November 1995 [Lords Hansard]
Queen's Speech 16 November 1994 [Lords Hansard]
Please note that this is the complete list of the Queen's Speech available electronically from this site. If you are interested in finding earlier editions, please contact the Parliamentary Archives
